Friday has learned to converse reasonably well in English, and
Crusoe enjoys his company. In fact, he has become a different man
because of this companionship. Crusoe tells Friday all about
Europe and England. Friday explains the location of their island,
and Crusoe understand he is in the Caribbean. Friday also indicates
that he was formerly among the savages who regularly visit the
island

After Friday is culturally civilized, Crusoe embarks on the mission
of making him a Christian. He explains to Friday how God created
everything and how the devil was cast out of heaven after his
rebellion. He also teaches him the gospel of Jesus Christ,
explaining how man is forgiven of his sins. After three years
together, Crusoe says of Friday, "The savage was now a good
Christian, a much better (one) than I."

When Friday sees the mainland from the island, he is greatly
excited. Crusoe is much disturbed and fears that if he returns to his
people, Friday may go back to his old ways and even return to
capture him. Friday insists that he wants to go back to "civilize"
his people, as he has been civilized. Additionally, he makes it
perfectly clear that he would never dream of going back alone or
leaving Crusoe.

Friday tells Crusoe how there are seventeen white men who were
shipwrecked and washed ashore on the mainland; they live
peacefully among the natives. The news of white men nearby
rekindles Crusoe's hope for escaping the island. He begins to think
he may again reach civilization. The first step is to get to the
mainland, and Crusoe knows it will take a sturdy sailboat. He and
Friday spend three months of hard labor building and outfitting the
large boat, which could have easily carried twenty men. Although
Friday has never seen a sailboat, he quickly becomes an expert in
handling it.

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Notes

The native has been culturally civilized and now speaks the
language of his master; therefore, in true imperialist fashion,
Crusoe can begin converting the native to Christianity. According
to the master, Friday becomes a better Christian than he is.

Although Crusoe genuinely enjoys his company and praises
Friday's goodness and faithfulness, it is ironic that when Friday
shows joy at the sight of the mainland, Crusoe's first fear is that
Friday will return home, revert to his old ways, and even come
back to capture him. This fear really stems from Crusoe's own
nature, for he has continuously reverted to his old ways throughout
most of narrative.

When Friday mentions that there are white men on the island,
Crusoe's view quickly changes. He again has hopes of being
rescued and seeing civilization again. The practical Crusoe knows
that the first step is to get to the mainland. To accomplish this, he
and Friday spend three months building a large sailing boat.